NORTON GALLERY CHIEF QUITS MADIGAN RESIGNS AMID QUIET DEBATE

Capping more than a year of closed-door controversy, Richard A. Madigan on Wednesday resigned as director of the Norton Gallery of Art in West Palm Beach, where he had served since 1974.

His decision has been accepted by the museum board of directors. R. Bryant Snyder, a Norton Museum board member and retired banker, will serve as interim director. He will be advised by curator Bruce Weber.

Sources at the museum say that Madigan had been discussing the move quietly for nearly a year and that the decision to leave was made two weeks ago. Madigan says he was "absolutely not forced out."

"After 15 years of directing the Norton, it's time to step back and reassess my own goals and future plans," Madigan said. "Much remains to be done and it is my firm hope that the community will continue to rally behind the Norton and its programs."

Madigan's departure was prompted by delays in a proposed $10 million museum- renovation campaign, as well as snags in filling the positions of assistant director and public-relations director.

In 1987, the Norton Gallery launched a fund-raising drive with the announcement of three pledges of $1 million. But no architect or principal fund-raising chairman was named at the time, and the project has remained on hold.

Madigan, 51, will remain as a paid consultant to the museum during the transition period, while a committee, headed by former Norton board chairman J.Y. Arnold Jr., searches for a new director.

Madigan and the board often disagreed, but the relationship remained cordial. As Madigan said in a release: "You can make a case for this being a time for new blood and vitality. I hope I've taken this institution to a plateau that will serve it well in the future."

Madigan succeeded in rejuvenating the museum during his tenure as director. The annual budget at the museum grew from $250,000 to $1.35 million. He also helped generate both popular and critical attention to the permanent collections of ancient Chinese artifacts and of American and European paintings and sculptures from the bequest of the museum's late benefactor, Ralph Norton.

Madigan also upgraded the quality of exhibitions coming to the gallery. In 1981, the Armand Hammer Collection of masterpieces drew more than 120,000 visitors to the Norton Gallery during its run. Hammer also lent his collection of works by Honore Daumier to the museum.